Started collecting with my grandson, we live in Bessemer, Pa. We are surrounded by limestone quarries, and this is what we found so far this week. The magnetite was the first find. I am not looking for anyone to tell me what I found. That takes the fun out of it. I still need a scale for density and s.g. and still working on the hardness test. I have many questions. I need to put it all together, then i'll ask. What I can't figure out myself.. please if I do miss something let me know. By pointing me in the right direction. 6 days ago I knew none of these. Now I believe I have identified 9 of them, but will wait until I finish my research on them. Enjoy
Thank you,
jim

JIM, Welcome to this forum! I wish you the best with both your collection and your grandson's collection!

If, in the near future of the next year or so, you and the grandson remain enthusiastic and continue to collect or even start attending shows and buying a few specimens, permit me to give you a few words of advice.

One of my earliest mentors was not even a rock collector or mineral or fossil collector. In the 1950's I was about 10 years old and my dad's architectural firm partner happened to be a well respected stamp collector. One evening he came over to our place and sat down with me to discuss my newly forming stamp collection. His advice, which I adhered to and still remember, included buying and self collecting examples of quality rather than quantity. With stamps that meant buying (or getting) 1 really quality example for $5 rather than 1000 very ordinary common examples for $5. For a youngster and new collector this was difficult, however, if you continue, years later, the quality examples of most any collectible will be very much more appreciated rather than the large quantity of very ordinary examples.
He also suggested that if I continued collecting to consider specializing or focusing my collection as advanced stamp collectors only rarely collect worldwide stuff.
Altho many advanced mineral collectors collect worldwide stuff, just as many start specializing. Unlike most stamps, there is almost a never ending supply of mineral specimens, in all qualities, which can be overwhelming to some collectors.

So, for me, it was first quality and then, as my collection grew, it was focusing the collection. I sold my large well known collection of stamps in the late 1990's. But his advice remains the same today with my narrowly focused mineral collection of quality self collected and purchased examples.

Take my advice however you see fit to do so. I hope it helps and good luck. BOB

thanks for the reply, found this todat, passed the magnet test, dark bluish black, visable flow lines metel flake and small inclusions. a little over 6 cm. what else needs to be done to confirm it,s a meteroite also .i am leaning more to ilmenite, not magnetite. it has a strange magnetic feild, almost like it repels at first , then settles in a weak magnetic pull.. i strongly beleive that i found a undocumented complex crater site.. shock quarts, shatter cons. nad fracture patterns.and a scattering of spherulites in surounding area. working on all the information to better prove my beleif

JIM,
I have posted a discussion on a meteorite thread on the Mindat.org website and another discussion on a more casual collecting website that you can find by googling rock collecting websites, so I will not fully repeat myself here.

Suffice it to say that I more than agree with VOLKMAR. No one will attempt to identify a meteorite from a simple picture on any website. Living in Bessemer Pa, I suggest taking your example to the geology department at the U of Pittsburgh or the university in Youngstown Ohio. Ask for some graduate student or faculty member to give you 5 - 10 minutes to, in person, help identify your example.
In one State of Indiana Geological Survey study, there were 13 verified meteorites known to them between the years of 1859 - 1991. That is about 1 found every 10 years. (the study can be found online by going to the IGS website and finding the meteorite discussions). The vast, vast numbers were slag or other non-meteorite look-a-likes. If your pictured example would turn out to actually be a meteorite, I think someone in the university geology department might then become interested in seeing the area and if you have actually found an impact site. You certainly mention several facets of an impact site that would become of major interest to any geology department......if it truly is an impact site.

To put all this in another perspective, there are 10 - 15 people struck by lightning in the State of Indiana every year. Therefore, you are much more likely to be struck by lightning while hunting meteorites than actually finding a meteorite.

Especially as a novice, you should accept the other folks opinions on your example as the responders are giving freely of their expertise and time. Not listening to their opinions and getting too defensive, you run the risk of wearing out your welcome to some of those trying to be helpful. BOB

thank you bob, i understand your where you are coming from . i have sons that r have a subjective point of view about claims i make, . like i like to say i am working very hard to prove myself wrong.lol. enjoy your day. jim

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